Letters to the editor: 11/16

Single-payer system would have been better

Privatized universal health care is off to a rough start. Maybe it's better than nothing, but a single-payer system would have avoided all these problems. There wouldn't be millions trying to input their financial and medical history, only to see their computers crash. "Obamacare" was designed to generate enormous profits for the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, not to help the American people. All they have gotten is a shoddy government Web page.

That is unless the National Security Agency steps in and proves that the $10 billion a year we spend on endless snooping is actually worth something. Why not have the 35,000 NSA employees start mining their limitless trove of data for each American and tell us what plans we qualify for. They have it all, from what we earn each year to how much we spend on hemorrhoid medication. They even have our Google searches for diseases we think we have. They've recorded every phone call we have ever made to our doctor, as well as every foolish Facebook posting of our addictions and bad habits. The NSA should be able to generate every bit of information that millions of Americans are trying unsuccessfully to upload themselves.

Of course, President Barack Obama will have to filter Americans through his drone kill list before people are actually cleared for insurance. Why bother with health care for someone who is about to be assassinated? In a way, it's more humane to drone them now, before they go through all the frustration of registering for Obamacare.

Fred Nagel

Rhinebeck

Armstrong to run for Arlington fire board

My name is Joe Armstrong. You may have seen some of my letters to the editor. As a lifelong resident of the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, I feel compelled to run for the board of fire commissioners for the Arlington Fire District.

If there ever was a time to vote, this should be it. I am greatly concerned with the runaway spending and conflict of interest with most of the present commissioners as most are connected to the fire department community. I am connected to the taxpayers' community and our concerns. The fire department community must face reality.

I have been attending the board meetings for the last two years and believe there needs to be more hands-on auditing in many areas. I have had many years of experience as a trustee for a private organization. I will bring the taxpayers' concerns to the board, along with Jim Beretta who was elected to the board last year.

Perkins thanks voters for confidence, support

I'd like to thank the voters of Dutchess County legislative district 7 for their support and confidence in re-electing me as their representative. I feel truly honored to have the opportunity to represent your views in the Dutchess County Legislature.

I especially enjoyed the welcome received at so many of your homes. I believe listening to you has helped me understand how you wish to be represented. I did not get the chance to talk with all of you and would urge you to contact me if you have a concern. With your support, I look forward to addressing the challenges facing our county government.

Rich Perkins

Dutchess County legislator

Hyde Park

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Letters to the editor: 11/16

Single-payer system would have been betterPrivatized universal health care is off to a rough start. Maybe it's better than nothing, but a single-payer system would have avoided all these problems.

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